It was graded stakes glory in the sunshine this past weekend. At Gulfstream Park, located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, six-year-old Skippylongstocking and seven-year-old Wolfie’s Dynaghost showed their best form in a pair of races on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Skippylongstocking Edges Poster in Harlan’s Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park
In the $150,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3), three-year-olds and up vied for the win over 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Sired by 2016 Preakness Stakes (G1) victor Exaggerator, Skippylongstocking delivered a narrow victory, outlasting runner-up Poster by a head. His best season so far has been 2025, with the horse capturing the May 26 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G2) and March 8 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes (G3).
He started the year by running third in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), also at Gulfstream. Fans may recognize Skippylongstocking’s name from the 2022 Triple Crown trail; he ran third in that year’s Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) that year, then finished fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G2) and third in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
Wolfie’s Dynaghost Sets Course and North American Record in Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G3T)
In the $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G3T), held at 1 1/8 miles for ages three and older, veteran Wolfie’s Dynaghost showed why he’s earned $1,350,627 in her career. Favored at odds of 0.90-1, Wolfie’s Dynaghost led from gate to wire. He set a new course record, and a North American record, covering that distance in 1:43.42. Having already proven himself on the turf, this gelding is a half-brother to multi-millionaire Sadler’s Joy, winner of the 2017 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1)
Express Kid Springs 34-1 Upset in Remington Springboard Mile Stakes
The two-year-old colt is a son of 2020 Clark Stakes (G1) winner Bodexpress, a son of classic-placed grade 1 winner Bodemeister (a son of 2003 Belmont winner Empire Maker). Express Kid’s female family has more promise, as his fourth dam is the standout broodmare Stick to Beauty, who foaled champion sprinter Gold Beauty; other female-line descendants of Stick to Beauty include grade/group 1 winners Maplejinsky, Tale of Ekati, Pleasant Home, Gold Legend, champions Sky Beauty and Dayjur, Guarana, and leading sire Violence, plus multiple classic-placed Impeachment and multiple graded stakes winner Strike Charmer (one of the few horses to beat Lady Eli), among others.
Santa Anita Delays Opening Day as Turfway Park Hosts $250,000 Stakes Action
Elsewhere in American racing, Santa Anita Park has delayed its opening day, originally scheduled for Dec. 26, to Dec. 28. The reason is projected major rain in Southern California. Turfway Park’s Dec. 21 card contained four blacktype stakes, each of which had a $250,000 purse; among the winners was Caitlinhergrtness, who won last year’s King’s Plate Stakes, a Canadian classic race.
